Sedimentation study in controlled flood areas: monitoring and prevention of silt deposition

In order to increase the water storage capacity of valleys and protect downstream residential areas against flooding, controlled flood areas (GOG) are being constructed in Flanders. These GOG also have an impact on the (quantity and quality of) the sediment load in the watercourses and on the other hand, the sedimentation in the GOG will affect the storage volume. However, the extent to which the sedimentation in GOG affects the water storage capacity and has an impact on the water and soil quality is not immediately known. The aim of the study is to substantiate management and policy measures to limit the negative impact of sedimentation in controlled flood areas. Decrease in storage capacity should be avoided as well as a negative impact on land use (agriculture, nature, ...). The impact on water quality and sediment load downstream from the GOG are also being investigated.